Surviving A Busy Holiday-Themed Weekend

Though I’ve gotten some rest, it’s felt like I haven’t stopped working since I got back from Omaha over the past weekend. This weekend looks to keep me just as busy. While not ideal for me when working a weekend, I do look forward to the challenge of the workload that I’ll have and I know it will be a lot of fun attending these upcoming events, all of which take place on Saturday aside from one on Sunday.

The Gathering Spot is hosting the annual ABATE (American Bikers Aiming Towards Education) chili feed and toy run today during the Husker football game. An auction during this event begins at 5 p.m.

The Alliance Recreation Center (ARC) will host a list of vendors for their Fall Into Winter Holiday Market taking place at the ARC beginning at 9 a.m. They’ll have an area for kids crafts and another area to watch the Huskers, or as they joked, “You might call this a 'husband containment or distraction center.’ ” For information, search for the event on Facebook.

The Senior Center’s Volunteer Recognition Dinner starts at 1 p.m. for lunch with entertainment following at 2 p.m. with a choir. I’m not sure what they’ll be serving, but they always have some delicious food so I’m hoping to eat lunch there during the busy day.

At Box Butte General Hospital’s Alliance Room will be Survivor Day through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Nebraska at 2 p.m. Saturday, ending around 5 p.m. Taken from their Facebook event, “Survivor Day is the one day a year when people affected by suicide loss gather around the world at events in their local communities to find comfort and gain understanding as they share stories of healing and hope.”

I haven’t forgotten about the Merriment on Main Street! The Main Street Scavenger Hunt begins at 10 a.m. A form will be provided, requiring participants to visit local business for their hunt. Turn the form in at Newberry’s to draw for a prize. Also at 10 a.m. is the Marshmallows S'mores Roast at the Edward Jones Mini Park in case you need to warm up with a nice snack.

As part of the Merriment event, the Christmas Parade starts at 2 p.m. If you’re already downtown for the scavenger hunt or for s’mores, then be sure to stick around for the parade. The parade will be marching south on Box Butte Avenue. I wonder what kind of floats we’ll see this year.

Lastly for the Merriment event, bring your kids to visit Santa on Third Street and Box Butte Avenue. Santa should be “in da house” at 2:30 p.m. Let’s hope you weren’t naughty this year.

The 2018 Miss Alliance/Alliance's Outstanding Teen Pageant takes place at the Performing Arts Center inside the Alliance High School at 6 p.m. Tickets run at $5 each, though is free to kids who are 5 years old or younger. Doors to the auditorium open at 5:30 p.m. so make sure to get there early for a good view.

Finally, the Carnegie Arts Center’s 2017 Winter Gala on Sunday features two different seatings for their largest annual fundraiser, one at noon and another at 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. depending on your mood – 5:30 being social hour and 6:30 when food is served. Entertainment will be provided by The Potter Family from Rapid City performing music from the 1930s and 1940s to modern music. Tickets are $60 each.

This has to be the most work I’ve had over a weekend ever. That’s good, though. It means Alliance is growing and people are active and participating in these events. A lot of hard work is going into each event, so I am really excited to see how they turn out. I hope to see you all there!